Mental health professionals are critical in supporting people who have mood disorders. They are the psychologists, therapists, PMHNPs and counselors who spend their lives learning about and caring for others. But a lot of people also wonder: do those providers get depressed themselves? The short answer is yes; mental health professionals can get depressed. It might appear counterintuitive, but this is crucial to understanding mental well-being.
Mental health professionals’ days are filled with listening to people’s pain and hardships. We must remember they are human too. They, like anyone else, have personal lives, relationships and stressors. They could be struggling with family or financial problems, or a loss of a loved one. It’s simple to get wrapped up and not think of these people as people as they experience the same struggles that life has to offer. Yet daily, they manage heavy emotions and tough life situations. All that exposure to sadness and trauma can become a burden on their own mental health. Therapists, just like anyone else, may be overwhelmed by the stories they hear, by the problems they encounter. For example, therapists may serve clients who have suffered trauma or loss. Listening to stories like that day after day can make you emotionally drained and depressed.
Furthermore, professionals in the mental health industry also have a high-stress profession. They can be in high stress positions and are overworked and stressed out. Otherwise, they risk burning out if they don’t attend to their mental health. It is possible for burnout to result in hopelessness and despair, like how sufferers of depression feel. Mental health providers, especially within the COVID-19 pandemic, had seen a growing demand for their services in recent years. Pulling more hours while managing the pandemic has made it harder to balance their inner lives.
It’s worth mentioning as well that mental health professionals are not immune to societal stigma about mental illness. Mental health experts, despite aiding others, might hesitate to seek help for their own mental health issues. They may worry that it would reflect poorly on their abilities. This concern can stop them from getting needed support, which then leads to feelings of isolation.
In short, mental health experts can experience depression. They’re human beings dealing with psychological issues like anybody else. It’s important to note that looking after their own mental and emotional well-being is vital if they are to be able to effectively help others. When we recognize that these experts may be challenged by mental illness, we can help change the stigma that surrounds it, and reach everyone — including healthcare workers — better by encouraging them to seek care.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health-professionals-types#types
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/968875?form=fpf
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-15385-008
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https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-is-state-mind/202204/mental-health-among-mental-health-practitioners
